The peoplewho truly make India Shine

It had been an action packed weekend in the best possible way. The long Raksha Bandhan/Independence Day weekend meant an exciting whirlwind of extended family get togethers, cousins staying over for the weekend and oodles of family bonding which left me in a state of happy exhaustion. So when Monday rolled around, I decided a relaxing massage was in order but since all the spas were closed for Independence Day, I decided to try my luck with the friendly neighbourhood malishwali (lady masseuse). My tentative query was met with an answer in the affirmative that she was indeed working "Only for my special old customers" and she would be there in an hour.

The stage was set up for an hour of indulgence in my improvised 'home spa'. The fragrant essential oils had been blended, the scented candles lit and I was just getting ready to hit the play button on some of my favourite music, when she conversationally asked me about the relevant merits of buying an Acer vs. an HP laptop. Now the Good Lord knows I am no electronics expert but I did my best from the little titbits I have picked up from my smarter and geekier friends. She politely thanked me (while making a mental note to counter check with more 'with-it' customers I'm sure) and then told me she was planning on picking up a laptop for her school going kids. "Education is important and I want them to have every advantage" she said. I smiled and nodded and silently doffed my cap to the courage and patience of this lady.

She started of as one of the many masseuse in a neighbourhood gym and when tariff wars made mobile phones affordable for many more people she capitalised on the opportunity to turn entrepreneur. It was hard work, harder still if come sun, shine, rain or hail a customer appointment meant a commitment which had to be met, even if it entailed arriving half frozen walking in the cold winter fogs or risking heatstroke in the blistering summer months. She persevered however, building up her client base bit by bit, her modes of transport marking the milestones on the road to prosperity, long walks being replaced by a cycle and eventually a motor scooter. She battled more than one setback on the way, be it a road accident which left her bed ridden for a couple of months or the loss of income when her husband quit a stable factory job for a not so successful stab at entrepreneurship. However she persevered through it all and now she dreams of a much brighter future for her children. "I walked into a mall for the first time yesterday Didi" she told me proudly, "However I was not shy at all since I knew I could buy the best laptop for my children" .

Bravo Chanda! I salute you and the millions more like you who are not waiting around for the Government to help or the babucracy to dole out favours. They make use of the opportunities which the India of the 21st century has to offer and build upon these with the sweat of their brow to create success stories which are inspiring and humbling for a child of privilege like me. This is truly where India is shining and may many more of her toiling millions continue to craft success stories like these.

Happy Independence Day Everyone. Jai Hind.